Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford Motor Company has consistently had the most vehicle recalls in the United States in recent years. For example, in 2023, Ford issued 54 recalls covering over 5.6 million vehicles, significantly more than other major automakers. This high number is often attributed to the sheer volume of vehicles they produce and a complex supply chain, rather than a single, catastrophic failure.
It's crucial to understand what a recall means. A recall is a safety campaign initiated by an automaker or mandated by the NHTSA to fix a defect that poses a risk to driver, passenger, or pedestrian safety. These are not minor issues like a faulty radio. Common reasons include problems with airbags, brakes, fuel systems, or electrical components that could lead to a crash or fire.
The high recall count for a company like Ford can be influenced by several factors. They sell millions of vehicles annually across many models, so statistically, they have more opportunities for issues to arise. A proactive approach to identifying problems, even for components shared across multiple models, can also lead to a large number of vehicles being recalled in a single action. The table below shows recall data for selected major manufacturers in a recent year, illustrating the disparity.
| Automaker | Estimated Recalls (2023) | Estimated Vehicles Affected (2023) |
|---|
| Ford Motor Company | 54 | 5.6 million |
| General Motors | 32 | 2.1 million |
| Volkswagen Group | 45 | 1.4 million |
| Mercedes-Benz | 28 | 1.2 million |
| Tesla | 20 | 2.4 million |
If you get a recall notice for your car, don't ignore it. Repairs are almost always free of charge at an authorized dealership. You can check for open recalls on your vehicle anytime using your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the NHTSA website.
